Triphosphates
The short version
A phosphate used to hold water, bind moisture, and improve texture in processed meats, seafood, and wet pet food.
It's permitted and generally considered safe, but there are a few reasons to be mindful — like sensitivities in some people, debated studies, or intake limits. The Safety section below explains the specifics.
Safety profile
JECFA's group maximum tolerable daily intake (MTDI) is 70 mg/kg body weight as phosphorus, from all sources. In 2019 EFSA set a lower group ADI of 40 mg/kg body weight per day, expressed as phosphorus, for phosphate additives including triphosphates. Well tolerated at food levels; the concern is cumulative phosphate load from heavily processed diets, most relevant to chronic kidney disease — a notable point for older cats and dogs on high-phosphate wet foods.
Sources
- EFSA FAF Panel — Re-evaluation of phosphoric acid–phosphates – di-, tri- and polyphosphates (E 338–341, E 343, E 450–452) as food additives and the safety of proposed extension of use (2019), EFSA Journal 17(6):5674 (PMC full text) — European Food Safety Authority, 2019. EU group ADI 40 mg P/kg bw covering triphosphates; EU limits expressed as P2O5
- JECFA database — Sodium tripolyphosphate (INS 451(i)), evaluations 1982 and 2023 (96th meeting, specifications) — WHO / Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, 2023. JECFA 70 mg/kg bw as P is a group MTDI for phosphorus from all sources
- 21 CFR 182.1810 — Sodium tripolyphosphate (GRAS), CFR 2025 edition — U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo) / FDA, 2025. US GRAS status of STPP under good manufacturing practice
Checked against these sources on .
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